The second of the Point-to-Point meetings over the Easter weekend takes place at Trebudannon, where it is the turn of the Fourburrow to host their event on Bank Holiday Monday April 6, start time 1pm. This course is popular with its natural amphitheatre style providing fantastic viewing. They have eight races on offer including the Bonhams Cornish National Men’s Open race, attracting entries such as Chapoturgeon from the Jack Barber team who was a National Hunt Festival winner. Posh Totty from the same yard is another entry bang in form, having been in the frame on all 12 of her last starts. The prolific winning mare Lucette Annie is also entered, as is Bradley Brook, both hold strong claims if not running at Cherrybrook on Saturday.
The Members race, sponsored by A.G.Prowse heads up the action. Previous course winner Reliable Richie is the pick of the three Reuben Chapman entries, who could improve on his third behind Silver Token and Mic’s Delight at Buckfastleigh.
The Open Maiden has already been divided, Miss Weld ran second here last season, she loves the soft and goes well for young jockey Pippa Glanville. Boyman is another entry with a previous second at this course under jockey Conor Smith.
In the second division of the Open Maiden, Ryalzaro trained by Jack Barber, ran close at Larkhill in January finishing second under Will Biddick. Mount Prospex for the Jill Dennis team would be the one to fear if connections choose this race over Cherrybrook entry, after his head second at Kilworthy.
Mic’s Delight could put claims on the Truro Tractors-sponsored Confined race, having been in the frame on all of his starts this season for owner/trainer/jockey Jennifer Davenport. He loves the soft, likes to keep his head in front as he showed when winning at Ottery. Knight Pass for the Nikki Frost yard and Devon General for Kayley Woollacott could be the ones to chase him home.
The Ladies Open race is sponsored by Carrs Landrover Truro, in which Minella Fifty could score again here after his recent win at Milborne St Andrew, when sent off odds on favourite, for the Claire Hitch team. Sweet My Lord connections will be looking for a hat-trick after his two wins at Wadebridge, and was running well at Kilworthy until falling.
The Restricted race is a qualifier for the Subaru Restricted Point-to-Point series final to be held at Stratford racecourse on Friday 29th May, in which entries include On Your Max, who has been knocking at the door for a Restricted win. Templeton was only just denied a win under Jamie Thomas when caught in the final 150 yards by winner Sonoftheking. Im All Set, from the Claire Hitch yard, who won his Maiden at Ston Easton at the second time of asking under Will Biddick. This race is sponsored by Tremaine Plant Hire.
Lamanva Brood Mares sponsor the three mile Open Maiden race, Judge John Deed could make his debut Point run here for the Barber family, who have a good strike rate with maiden horses at this course. Arny and Up To Ollie both ran well at the Kilworthy meeting and should improve for the run.
The course at Trebudannon is located at St Columb Major, signed off A30 and A39. Postcode TR9 4LP. Entrance to the course is £10 per person to a max of £30 per car. Children under 16 free. On course facilities include bar, bookies, trade stands and hot refreshments.
THE Spooners & West Dartmoor host the first of two Point-to-Point horse racing fixtures in the area, to be held over the Easter weekend, with their meeting taking place on Saturday April 4th at Cherrybrook, near Tavistock. Six races are on offer which start at 1pm. They include a competitive Mixed Open, sponsored by Langdon Transport, in which entries include prolific winning mare Lucette Annie and Hunter Chase winner Double Bank. Hameldown Tor is another entry holding strong claims if following up from his win at Milborne St Andrew where jockey Rob Henderson clocked up his 100th winner.
The Exeter Racecourse Intermediate race features, which is a qualifier for the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Championship final Hunter Chase to be at Cheltenham on April 29th. Entries include the two Nicola Martin-trained horses According To Harry and Sonoftheking, both with a strong chance of winning here. Miss Gotaway is another suggestion, having progressed well when taking the Restricted race at Buckfastleigh under Jamie Thomas for trainer Kayley Woollacott.
The Members race is sponsored by Condy Mathias, this could see locally trained Dicky Bob make it five out of five in Point races, having won at Kilworthy two weeks ago for the Verity Nicholls team, he seems unstoppable.
Tyre Marks sponsor the Restricted race, in which the Ed Walker-trained Doyen Dynamo could follow up on his win two weeks ago at Kilworthy, when taking the Maiden race three lengths ahead of Steel Brush. On Your Max another from the Walker team, ran a good second at Larkhill recently. Lucius Fabeo and Polo The Mumm could figure if the going stays soft, for novice jockey’s Olivia Hutchings and Hannah Welch.
The Rock Inn sponsor the Confined, with Mic’s Delight possibly skipping this meeting for Mondays fixture, it will leave the door open for Diamond Brook to follow up on his second to Dicky Bob at Kilworthy. Mausefalle is another to catch the eye, after his win under jockey Darren Edwards in the Members race also at Kilworthy.
The Open Maiden race is sponsored by Charles Stanley, which closes the days event. Suggestions are Spendajennie, Arny and Mount Prospex.
The course at Cherrybrook is a popular picnic track for all the family, with on course facilities of bar, bookies, many trade stands and hot refreshments. Entrance to the course is £10 per car & driver, passengers £10 to a maximum of £30, with children under 16 free. The course is located north of Tavistock signed from A386. Postcode PL19 OLA
THE worst of the rain relented during the afternoon but there was no respite from the strong, blustery wind at Great Trethew, where the six bookmakers present operated from the cosy shelter of a small marquee.
The strength of the wind had caused problems before the first race in which the last fence on the uphill section had to be omitted when it proved impossible to get the wings erected. Fortunately jockeys in the first race reported no adverse effects from the gusty wind in this two and a half miles Maiden won by Jimmy Frost’s four-year-old Arty Bella. Bryony Frost was content to bide her time on the filly, who shook off another previously un-raced youngster in Applesolutely. “ My brother Hadden bought her at Ascot last June unbroken.She is from the family of Colonian Queen and her grandam was Colonial Princess who won point-to-points. I have done a lot of work on her. She didn’t make a mistake today and I can’t fault her guts,” reported the 19-year-old jockey.
Two progressive young pointers fought out the finish of the Mixed Open. The favourite Blazing Whale was struggling from the top of the hill as seven-year-olds Welstonedruid and Whenharrymetsally dominated the closing stages. It was the Robert Chanin trained Welstonedruid who saw the trip out best after his main rival blundered her chance away at the last. “This is his first Open win. He just keeps galloping and will stay four miles,” said the Thorverton trainer, intimating that Upcott Cross or Flete Park could be next on the agenda. The gelding was something of a chance ride for Tom Chanin, whose brother Ian normally has the ride. “I am just standing in for Ian today because he has gone to the Cotley,” said the winning rider.
Matt Hampton had to settle for second best on Whenharrymetsally, but reached the winner’s enclosure in the Intermediate thanks to Blinding Lights. “He is not a speed horse but stays and we will probably go for the Exeter Racecourse Final,” remarked the winner’s owner/trainer Mary Sanderson.
The Open Maiden for four to seven-year-olds attracted 12 runners and went to a previously un-raced youngster in six-year-old Cailleach Annie. The winner drew clear at the last jump as her main pursuer Brandy and Red (Pippa Glanville) got tired. “I got her from Jay Leahy in Cork as a three-year-old but she is big and has taken time to come to herself. She is a half sister to Fear Glic who won over hurdles for me,” explained owner/trainer Jackie Du Plessis. The winner was ridden by 19-year-old David Noonan who is based with David Pipe. “I have now had six point-to-point winners and two under rules said the Irish born jockey.
Although based in Dorset with Anthony Honeyball, Harry Cobden is currently in a narrow lead (from David Noonan) for this year’s Devon & Cornwall male novice riders’ title. The 16-year-old reinforced his lead with a facile victory on Rachael Green’s grey Silver Token in the PPORA Novice Riders’ contest.
Another novice rider on the score sheet was Jake Bament who took his career total to five when Great Camanoe just outstayed Theatre Goer to win the Restricted. “He was on and off the bridle but battled on well for me,” said the 18-year-old jockey who works for Harry Fry. Great Camanoe, who was repeating his course win three weeks ago, is owned and trained by Rebecca Welch. “Another by Morpeth and he is home bred from a tiny un-raced Rakaposhi King mare bred by my late father,” explained Rebecca.
Karina Armes reports the going for Great Trethew is now soft – and it looks like there is plenty of rain to come as well
Friday 27th March, 16:19
Karina Armes reports that she Just heard from the C of C that the going is good to soft, soft in places.
Thursday 26th March
Karina Armes reports the Clerk of the course at Great Trethew has reported the going is good to soft, but may get a little softer given the weather forecast.
The fences have been moved to give some new ground after the first meeting so should be in good order.
Originally posted on www.pointtopoint.co.uk on 25 March 2015
Thirteen further Hunters’ Chases are scheduled for the first half of April as seen on the table below, and included is the Aintree Fox Hunters’, which is already closed, but is subject to confirmation by noon on April 3rd. 39 entries were received.
Recently races have filled well, especially since the ground has dried up a bit, with 120 runners having faced the starter in the ten races since the 1st March. We have recently had a couple of races that have had to be re-opened, I hope we will not have more but do keep your eyes open for these, there might be an opportunity you might not want to miss. As said before, please do continue to support these races to ensure that we do not have our programme of races further trimmed in future seasons. We have a good and mixed selection of races in the coming weeks, and some generous prize money on offer.
An up to date form guide and synopsis of the horses entered at this meeting. Form figures for up to 6 outings appear. A dash(-) is used to separate 2014/15 form from 2013/14 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2012/13 form or earlier. Horses marked with an asterisk (*) indicates National Hunt form. The higher the rating the better the form.
No responsibility can be accepted for any errors which may be considered to have occurred.
Heather Parr reports it has been drizzling today at Cherrybrook (Dartmoor mist) and the going is now soft.
Thursday 2nd April, 11:56
Heather Parr reports the Clerk of Course says the going is now good to soft -soft in places.
Riders’ attention is drawn to the new hat and body protector rules, which came into force on April 1. Kit will be checked at the Spooners and West Dartmoor point to point at Cherrybrook on Saturday.
Saturday 28th March, 10:44
Heather Parr reports the going remains Good to Soft, and is expected to remain that way for sometime.
Wednesday 25th March
The first race for the Spooners meeting at Cherrybrook on Easter Saturday, April 4th is at 1pm, the course will be signed from the A386 north of Tavistock – nearest postcode PL19 0LA. Come and enjoy good viewing, bookies, bar, catering & hog roast. Entry £10 per passenger – up to a maximum of 3 people or £30 The meeting’s secretary, Heather Parr, has spoken to clerk of course who reports the going is good to soft and with a drying-course well ahead of schedule.The course inspector is coming Friday evening.
The Point-To-Point Authority have created a survey for those interested in point-to-point Race Programming, and are inviting people involved in the sport to take a couple of minutes to take part in the survey. The survey features questions on prize money, maximum weights, ideal trip, hunt races, intermediate races, and winners from the flat, etc.
Note you will be presented with slightly different questions depending on whether you are an Owner, Trainer/Keeper, Rider, Owner/Rider, Official (eg Steward/Judge/Vet/Secretary), or Other (please specify). I also believe you can only submit responses for one role, so choose your primary role.
The form held up well at sunny Kilworthy with success for four clear favourites and two second favourites. Punters certainly had the edge during the afternoon and one regular backer found the first seven winners on the eight-race card. On the downside his wife now wants a holiday out of it.
Although RACEY LACEY (5-4 to 6-4) let her backers down in the opening Hunt race, it wasn’t long until the books took a pounding.
DOYEN DYNAMO (solid 6-4 fav) confirmed his Didmarton promise in the first Maiden under a patient ride from Danny Burton. STEEL BRUSH (3’s out to 5’s) was not wanted in the ring but this good looking ex-Irish pointer caught the eye on his British debut to chase the winner home and looks a winner in waiting.
The other division of the Open Maiden had to be divided on the day. WINTER SOLDIER (15-8 fav touched 2’s) just got the better of MOUNT PROSPEX (4 -1) in a driving finish to the first section in the fastest Maiden time of the day.
PETERBROWN (5-4 out to 7-4 fav) has experience under rules and his creditable second to Dicky Bob at Buckfastleigh gave him the form edge in the final maiden. The Karyn Heard trained seven-year-old jumped well and duly obliged under young Jake Bament.
So far so good, but if every favourite won the bookies would be out of business and sure enough the Mixed Open put a stop to the party. The popular South Devon gelding DOUBLE BANK (4-7 – 4-6) made a bold bid to dominate the race but was just caught by LOOSE PREFORMER (9’s to 10’s) on the gruelling final climb.
DICKY BOB is fast becoming a Devon & Cornwall star and the eight-year-old stepped up to Confined company under Jo Buck to record his fourth successive victory. The popular grey was sent off 4-5 fav.
SONOFTHEKING (3’S to 4’S) started second favourite for the 16-runner Restricted under in-form jockey Darren Edwards. He looked held approaching the last, but overhauled the 14-1 outsider TEMPLETON close home. Third placed IT’S ALL OR NOTHING was nibbled at from 14’s to 10’s and can win a Restricted.
The queues for ice cream had subsided when the flag was dropped for the final event at 6 o’clock, but there was plenty of activity in the ring. A few decent bets were seen for FOURSTAR RIVER whose odds rapidly contracted from 8-1 to 5-2. ACCORDING TO HARRY (7-4 fav) was also strongly supported having been laid to the early skirmishers at 7-2. In the end these well backed horses could only fill the places behind the Kayley Woollacott trained MINELLA WEB who was easy to back at around 6’s and 7’s.